Programs

Book Giveaways

The Book Giveaway Program gets books into the hands of children and families in need. The
Literacy Coalition collects new and gently-used books for distribution
to schools, social service organization, community centers, churches,
and health clinics. Over 15,000 books have been received and
distributed throughout the community since 2004.

The
Literacy Coalition solicits organizations and businesses throughout the
community to sponsor book drives and provides technical assistance in
conducting the book drives. A book drive may collect hundreds or
thousands of books. The books are sorted and categorized by age group
for targeted distribution.

The
Literacy Coalition works with schools and other organizations to target
distribution of the books. Examples of targeted distribution programs
include home library building and family literacy/reading intervention
support. The home library building takes gift quality books and gets
them into the hands of children to establish their library and build
pride in book ownership. There are programs for Birthday Gift Books,
Summer Reading Book Totes, and Holiday Gift Books. Additionally, books
are distributed to support family literacy and reading intervention in
schools and organizations serving populations at-risk (e.g.,
economically disadvantaged families, struggling readers, women's
shelters, families receiving social service assistance, correctional
facilities, etc.).

Book Drive Sponsors

Alum Creek Elementary PTO

Barnes and Noble

Goddard School of Lewis Center

Goddard School of Powell

MOMS Club of Lewis Center, North and South Chapters

Olentangy Teacher's Association

Book have been distributed to:

Buckeye Valley East – Summer Reading

Conger Elementary – Birthday Books and Summer Reading

Delaware County Jail

Delaware County Job and Family Services

Help Me Grow – Read to Me Books

Turning Point Women's Shelter

Woodward Elementary – Holiday Books and Summer Reading

(WS)2 After School Homework Help Program

After School Homework Help

The Literacy Coalition, William Street United Methodist Church, and Willis Intermediate School partner to offer the (WS)2After School Homework Help Program.This program is run by a teacher from Willis Intermediate School and operates with many, dedicated volunteers!

(WS)2 started as a drop-in program offered to all students at Willis Intermediate School and has evolved into a targeted approach in providing homework help to students nominated for the program by the school. The program addresses particular learning needs of students and offers one-on-one assistance on homework completion. Computer learning sites and other educational resources recommended by the school are also utilized during program sessions.

(WS)2 students set learning and grade goals and are recognized for their successful progress towards those goals. Students are additional recognized for program participation, such as regular attendance, completing their homework, and effort. Students also receive books and learning materials throughout the program to facilitate at home reading and practicing skills. Recognition events for students and their families also take place.

Program outcomes have consistently shown improved homework completion, as well as positive changes in school outcomes (e.g., attitudes towards school and improved school grades). Teachers, administrators, and guidance counselors from Willis Intermediate School have come to rely on the help available to students through (WS)2 and see this as a valuable resource for their students and parents.

Home Literacy Kits

The
Literacy Coalition has developed a series of home literacy kits. These
home literacy kits are duplicated and distributed to elementary and
middle schools to be loaned to students. The home literacy kits:

Train parents in specific skills and strategies to help their children with reading at home

Increase parent/child interaction through the reading process

Kits
are theme based and include two to four items such as read-aloud books,
poems, activity sheets, and games in an easy to carry bag. Each kit
also contains a parent letter and instructions on how to use the kit.
Themes were developed on high interest topics and were mapped to the
school curriculum.

The
Rotary Club of Sunbury funded the Literacy Coalition's development of
the initial series of 10 home literacy kits and the distribution of 60
home literacy kits to the 21st Century Afterschool Learning Program.

Adult Basic Literacy Education (ABLE) Support

The
Literacy Coalition partners with the Adult Basic Literacy Education
(ABLE) program in efforts to promote the initiation and continuation of
county literacy programs for adults. The Literacy Coalition advertises
ABLE services and both organizations refer learners to the other as
needed.

Family Literacy Support

The
Literacy Coalition sponsors and supports family literacy events in the
community. The events includes promotion of literacy in the community
and may include presentations and materials outlining the importance of
reading, age-appropriate reading tips and demonstrations on how to read
to children, and ways to incorporate reading at home. Information about
literacy services in the community and referrals to other organizations
may be also provided.

Community Service Development

The
Literacy Coalition continually assesses the literacy needs of the
community. It will either develop a program directly or partner with
outside organizations to address the need. Examples of these include
the (WS)2 Afterschool Homework Help Program and the Delaware County
chapter of the Next Chapter Book Club (NCBC).

The
(WS)2 Afterschool Homework Help Program (also described above) was
developed based on a need identified by Willis Intermediate School and
the Literacy Coalition to reach out to struggling learners who were not
being served by existing programs offered by the school or community.
The Literacy Coalition assessed the need, developed the program based
on those needs, and has implemented the program since 2005.

In
creating the Delaware County chapter of the Next Chapter Book Club
(NCBC), the Literacy Coalition partnered with The Ohio State University
Nisonger Center and Delaware County Board of Developmental Disabilities
to better serve individuals with developmental disabilities. A needs
assessment indicated that these individuals did not have any literacy
services available to them after a class offered by ABLE was canceled
due to funding cuts. The NCBC was designed to promote literacy, social
connections, and community inclusion. It was initiated by the Literacy
Coalition in 2008 and was immediately sponsored and implemented by
Delaware County Board of Developmental Disabilities.